Must be between 6 and 40 charactersPassword is invalid. Passwords should be at least 6 characters long, cannot contain only repeated characters or sequences (e.g. "aaaaaaa" or "123456") or be a common password (e.g. "qwerty" or "password"). Please choose a more secure password.

~ COTTONWOOD ~

”Sometimes doing the wrong thing is the right thing”

County Sheriff Rube Whitlock is faced with raising his two young sons after the death of his young daughter which leaves his wife mentally incapacitated with grief and unable to care for them. Overwhelmed with the responsibility, Rube hires Esther, a local black woman whose husband, PV has just purchased his second mule in an attempt to establish himself and his farm as competitive cotton producers. Word of PV’s ambition quickly spreads through town igniting the community’s rage, creating dissonance and contempt within the usually quiet community.

Tensions rise as Orville “Guppy” Walters, a local ne’er-do-well, instigates a campaign that begins to threaten the safety of PV. These rumblings put Rube’s loyalties and the stability of his position as sheriff under scrutiny and it begins to compromise his livelihood.

As the condition of Rube’s wife deteriorates, Esther’s natural maternal presence begins to fill voids in the Whitlock house, which further fans the racial fires in the town. Rube is ultimately forced to choose between the boundaries set by the laws he has sworn to uphold and the boundaries set by the moral convictions of the human heart.

Amidst painful pasts beginning to resurface and new secrets freshly buried, it will take a “knobby-kneed buckskin” mule, a cheap pocket knife and a lifeless Cottonwood tree to form lasting friendships that will gray the lines between black and white and begin the delicate mending of family ties in the tender heart of a young boy.

Comments on the Script – “Cottonwood”

“This is an
amazing story with so much potential to become a successful film with its
strong subject matter and characters. This is a movie I am proud to be a part
of. I look forward to working with the
incredible filmmakers that are assembled. I am honored to be a member of the Cottonwood
Team.”

-Anthony Michael
Hall (Actor & Producer)

“What attracted me to the film Cottonwood was “its humanity.”

-Louis Gossett,
Jr. (Academy
Award-winning Actor)

“I found the
screenplay to be very compelling and thought it was a wonderful character
driven story. Although dark at times,
the surprise ending made the story resonate with the reader, and I feel it will
do the same for the movie going audience.
I look forward to the role of Joe Walker.”

-Joe Perry (Aerosmith)

“We really enjoyed
the screenplay, Cottonwood, especially the close relationship the entire town
seems to share, and that the story is told from the point of view and
recollections of a young boy. My client
John-Paul Howard is honored to be a part of this film”

-Josh Taylor,
Agent, Vamnation Entertainment

“There will
always be a craving for strong, well-made dramas with dynamic and universal
themes. With a strong screenplay, great
cast, talented and experienced production team, the deck is stacked in
Cottonwood’s favor to deliver both artistically and commercially.”

-Brandon Paine, CEO, At The Mercy of Artist

"Cottonwood" is a very special film that I am proud to be a part of. Set in 1937, during the depression and dust bowl era in West Texas, this poignant, heartfelt story is filled with mystery, intrigue, and tension, with strong characters. Based on relationships, friendships, death and healing with bonds not to be broken in a racially charged small town, with a surprise ending that leaves the audience with lingering emotions. Cottonwood ~ is a compelling film, a classic some say similar to Horton Foote's "To Kill a Mockingbird". With its strong subject matter, I feel Cottonwood will be viewed by audiences of all ages and will be seen for years to come...

Additional Cast

Why Crowd Funding:

The Cottonwood team believes we have a
great responsibility to provide not only a fantastic movie-going experience,
but to do our part to help others. We
want to assist those on the front-lines in the battle against racism that is
still alive today, and to help those in the ongoing battle to feed America’s
children in need – who are America’s future.

We turned to Indiegogo crowd funding
campaign to minimize our dependence on traditional film business
operations. The more money we raise
through your help, the more back end royalties we will be able to donate to
boot-on-the-ground charities making a real difference, as to profiting standard
business interest.

We want to create awareness through
building a valuable grass-roots audience while offering you the opportunity to
be involved and create this movie Cottonwood with us, protecting the integrity
of the project in the process.

OUR
CAMPAIGN

Cottonwood producers have completed the
development stage of the project. After three years, we have assembled a strong
production team of industry professionals and attached an amazing cast. We are now trying to raise $750,000 through
Indiegogo, to give us the ability to retain a known director with a solid track
record, and an A-list actor for the role of Sheriff Rube Whitlock. Both of these attachments will make our film
package stronger and meet the requirements for us to secure production
financing in the amount of $10 million dollars.

Known sales representatives and
distributors have read the script and expressed interest in distributing
Cottonwood worldwide once the film is complete.

DELETE

COMMENTS FROM DISTRIBUTORS
RE: COTTONWOOD

“Julie
– it was a pleasure speaking with you regarding your film Cottonwood. Thank you for the opportunity of reading the
script which we liked very much. Once
your package is stronger, I would like to discuss distribution for the film
with your further.”

- Stuart
Burkin- TheWeinstein Company

“Cottonwood has a strong package, an intriguing
storyline, an excellent screenplay, great cast and talented production
team. With the addition of a known
director at the helm and an A-list lead, the film has the potential to be
successful both creatively and economically.
This is the type of film I can stand behind and would be excited to
present in the marketplace both domestically and internationally. I cannot wait to see the final film.”

–Morris
Ruskin, CEO Shoreline Entertainment

“On
behalf of the Acquisitions Department at MarVista Entertainment, as we have
been tracking your film Cottonwood online, from what we have read, it sounds
like “Cottonwood” would be a great fit for us and our worldwide client base. We would love to be considered as your
distribution partner (domestic or internationally) on this film.”

-
Stephanie Slack, SVP Acquisitions MarVista Entertainment

“I’m
writing to inquire about your film “Cottonwood.” I would like the opportunity to
discuss assisting as your sales agent as our company has sold features to
distributors; Universal,
Lionsgate, and Warner Brothers to name a
few.”

“I
am an Acquisitions Associate at VMI Worldwide, and I’m writing about your film
COTTONWOOD. We are a fan of the cast
you’ve assembled and would be interested in handling the international distribution
rights for the film. VMI is a Los Angeles based International Sales Agent that
specializes in international distribution of independent feature films. I look forward to hearing more about your
project.”

-
Elizabeth McCullough, VMI Worldwide

“Julie, I
recently came across one of your films, Cottonwood, and wanted to see if the picture
had Foreign Distribution in place and if all the territories have been sold. TriCoast Worldwide can provide international
distribution for your film. I look forward to speaking with you regarding
distribution.”

- Daisy Hamilton,
TriCoast Worldwide

“I thought I’d
touch base on COTTONWOOD. Spotlight Pictures is a premiere sales agent of
independent cinema for worldwide distribution.
I would love to discuss your film and how we may possibly work
together.”

- Carlos Rincon,
Director of Acquisitions. Spotlight Pictures

WHY
IT IS IMPORTANT

Cottonwood is a film that
cuts to the base of humanity. It is an opportunity to make an impact on others,
as well as teach and educate about racism, which is something we are still
living with in our society today. Cottonwood is proud to support and bring
awareness to two very special foundations listed on the films website www.cottonwoodfilm.com.

Louis
Gossett, Jr. – ERACISM FOUNDATION

Jeff
Bridges, spokesperson – NO KID HUNGRY

THE
IMPACT

We
strongly feel the impact of Cottonwood
will make a difference in helping educate and bring awareness about racism. This
film will have the opportunity to be shown in schools, churches, youth groups,
social meetings on hate crimes and much more.

The story Cottonwood takes place during a very difficult time in our history.
People were struggling to survive the Great Depression, and our farmers were
dealing with severe drought, losing their crops, livestock, and
livelihood. Somehow, with their strength
and faith, they overcome great odds, and continue to do so today.

With your support and donations, Cottonwood can move forward to the next
step in making this movie while staying true to the spirit and creativity in
independent filmmaking. Our goal – to
raise $750,000 – to be used to retain
the film’s director and lead actor, in order for us to make our film
stronger for financing.

What if we raise more than our goal? That would be amazing! It will assist us in
moving closer to the film budget in hopes of starting production early 2014.

We have some really exciting and unique
perks; being in a scene in the film, meeting the cast and crew, dining with the
producer and cast, attend a screening of the film, attend the film premiere,
VIP after party, and more!

OTHER
WAYS YOU CAN HELP

We would truly appreciate it if you could
spread the word about our campaign through social media. Indiegogo makes it
easy to share this campaign with your friends, family, and co-workers by
clicking on the social media icons on this page. The more people who know about our campaign
and fundraising needs can participate and donate to the project.

Please help show your support and make a
donation. Any amount would be greatly appreciated!

Flexible FundingThis campaign has ended and will receive all funds raised.

Campaign Closed

This campaign ended on February 15, 2014

Select a Perk

$100USD

Broken Branch Package A

A copy of the Novel Cottonwood.
A copy of the Cottonwood ‘Soundtrack” includes “Broken Branch. (when available).
A copy of the Cottonwood DVD (when available).

0
claimed

$10USD

Special Thanks

A thank you on our Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/cottonwoodfilm); and our Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/cottonwoodiflm)!

0
claimed

$25USD

Special Thanks Deluxe

All of the above, PLUS Special Edition Cottonwood T-shirt & Official Certificate of Support (pdf copy) with your name (show off to friends and family.)

5
claimed

$50USD

Fan

All of the above, PLUS a copy of the official Cottonwood DVD!

2
claimed

$50USD

Valentine Day - Robert Durling

A copy of the Cottonwood DVD (when available).
A copy of the Cottonwood CD soundtrack includes “Broken Branch” written by Robert Durling.
A special shout out on our Facebook & Twitter to your loved one.

0
claimed

$50USD

Valentine Day

A signed copy of the Novel Cottonwood.
A copy of the Cottonwood DVD (when available).
An autographed photo of the cast on the set of Cottonwood.
A special shout out on our Facebook & Twitter to your loved one.

1
claimed

$100USD

Friend

All of the above, PLUS A pdf copy of the cottonwood movie script, FIRST ACCESS to behind the scenes photos from the set.

4
claimed

$250USD

Broken Branch Package B

A copy of the Novel Cottonwood.
A copy of the Cottonwood ‘Soundtrack” includes “Broken Branch. (when available).
A copy of the Cottonwood DVD (when available).
Plus spend the day on the Cottonwood movie set meet the Cast &amp; Crew and be in a scene in the film(travel not included)

2
claimed

$500USD

BFF

All of the above, PLUS a special thanks on the IMDb listing, an invitation to join the cast and crew for a screening of the film. Screening date is TBD and will be scheduled per the producer's choosing. *Travel and lodging are not included.

0
claimed

$1,000USD

Bronze Friend

All of the above, PLUS a Skype call with the producer(s) and limited edition of screen printed mini poster. *Call will be in accordance to producer's scheduled availability.

0
claimed

$5,000USD

Silver Friend

All of the above, PLUS an opportunity to be an credited extra in the film. Lunch or dinner with cast & producers *Travel and lodging are not including.

0
claimed

$10,000USD

Gold Friend

All of the above, PLUS opportunity to be Production Assistant for a day, autographed copy of the screenplay, (2) tickets for the film premier and VIP after party. You will get a special thanks in the film credits and on IMDb. *Travel and lodging are not included.

0
claimed

$25,000USD

Platinum Friend

Cameo with line, dinner with the cast and producers, DVD or Blue-ray of film, autographed copy of the screenplay, T-shirt, limited edition of screen printed mini poster, special thanks on the film's website, (4) tickets to the film premier and VIP after party. Photo opportunity with the cast and crew (subject to approval). *Travel and lodging are not included.